Day 5.5: ‘I think everybody needs to be concerned about the performance of the team – players, coaches, trainers, managers’

CHICAGO — The Sharks weren’t close to being up for a game against the haven’t-lost-in-regualtion Chicago Blackhawks, dropping a 4-1 decision at the United Center on Friday night.

Afterward, players shrugged off the suggestion that seven games without a win could lead to a shake-up trade. But Todd McLellan didn’t dismiss the idea that changes could be coming — and broadened the topic.

“I think everybody needs to be concerned about the performance of the team – players, coaches, trainers, managers. We’re all in it together,” he said after initially deflecting the question as one for general manager Doug Wilson, who did not make the trip. “When you start pointing fingers at one individual, there’s three pointing back at you.”

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Then McLellan added:” Let’s all clean up what we do, whether we’re a coach or a player, and perform to our abilities.”

That appears in the print edition story just filed. There’s also a little back-and-forth from Joe Thornton and Jonathan Toews on their fight, with Toews having a lot more to say.

Toews appeared to be the aggressor on the ice, knocking Thornton down from behind and pushing him several times to earn a boarding penalty in addition to the fighting major.

That looked like Thornton might have been the one taking exception. Not so.

“He asked me to fight and I was kind of shocked, but said sure,” Thornton said. “He hit me from behind. It wasn’t anything serious but he asked me to fight and I obliged.”

“I felt that it was something I needed to do to stand up for myself. I’m glad I did it. I think it helped our team and we got the win so that’s the important thing.

“The last handful of games, including last season, there is always some stuff going on, whether it’s after the whistles or during the play. It just comes down to players maybe trying to get under your skin and testing you a little bit. I figure at some point I had to stand up for myself. It came down to that I guess.

*****On that note, I’m signing off for a short time (unless events warrant otherwise). The team is going back to San Jose, where Curtis Pashelka (or @CurtisPashelka as he’s known on Twitter) will pick up the coverage. I’m staying in the Midwest — saving the company a few $$$ on air travel and a lot of wear and tear on myself.

David Pollak

David Pollak has been following the NHL forever and at the Mercury News as an editor or reporter since 1987. For almost a decade he wrote about the Sharks as the paper's Fan in the Stands before joining the sports department in 2001. He became the Sharks beat writer before the 2007-08 season and began this blog at that time. You can also follow him on Twitter at @PollakOnSharks.

Agreed. This whole hockey ownership thing seems like a hobby to Plattner. I honestly don’t think he’d have the first clue on how/when/why to make personnel decisions. Who would he consult? Larry Ellison? If any changes are to happen, then DW will make them.

GP

“…then DW will make them.”

I would have to agree. But, IMO, DW likes it in SJ. I would not be surprised to see a DW move up while hiring a GM to handle those responsibilities. Kind of like Kevin Lowe in Edmonton(but different scenario). Still, a structural change that won’t happen soon or quickly. It appears the DW is at the top of hockey operations already.

I wouldn’t put this option past him either. If TMac will take the hit, DW might jump on the bench himself in the shortened season. He already has good coaches assisting. And, he’s 1-0 as a bench coach.

GP

JB,

Funny.

Also, this one multi-screener hasn’t gone through the whole Sharks roster of screen names yet. I’m expecting too much more to come, aye.

Beer League Rocks

GP, I am usually an optimist, and I don’t feel like I’m panicking, but they just don’t seem to have “it”. I also don’t think a little tweek via trade will do much. That is why I said maybe its time for a new coach with a different approach. I don’t have anyone specifically in mind and Larry Robinson has said (and I believe him) he doesn’t want that job (responsiblility). Tmac does have a great record here, but that’s the easiest way to shake things up. I’m no GM for sure (except in beer league). Last year we never really got to see a healthy Havlat, and I fear we may not see a fully healthy Burns this year. As far as the Burns Seto trade, well Seto is not doing well at all. Who knows what Coyle will become, so I still like that trade. Give the new Defensive coaches some time to work with Burns. The losing streak started around when Boyle got sick, and that could be running around the locker room. I’m just frustrated watching a team not doing well, that I think can do better. If they don’t turn it around soon, I don’t see how DW can just leave things the way they are. Don’t know what to think about the new owner, except that he has deep pockets. Hope he’s willing to spend to the cap, and if needed willing to eat Tmac’s contract instead of keeping him just to save money. Maybe the thing to do, it being a short season, is just to let it play out and move forward in the summer. I still like my teal Koolaid, but….. I may have to start playing more hockey to distract myself from this implosion that is going on with the Sharks.

Old Time Hockey Fan

YOU WANT CUP OR NOT ???

Beer League Rocks

GP, Hadn’t even thought about DW putting himself behind the bench, his hair might get messed up. I would see that as a bold move, and going all in as far as taking responsibility for the team he has put together. Sure hope the next 7 go better.

GP

Umm, yell it from the rooftops! Woo Hoo!

Lisa

101 Renoshark
Plattner seems to be a competitive guy. He could have remained a majority owner ( as of 2010) but instead he went ahead and bought out Compton and Sclavos. Maybe he wants to win the SC? He immediately changed the the former structure of management (executive committee) by creating a board made up of himself, minority owner Gary Valenzuela, former Sun Microsystems CEO and longtime hockey buff Scott McNealy and Rouven Westphal, one of Plattner’s financial advisers. So he’s not just going along with what was previously in place. What would be good for the Sharks is if Plattner hired an experienced executive ( “President of Hockey Operations”) like John Davidson to rebuild the team. It’s going to have to happen sooner or later. DW has never done that before. If a rebuild is done poorly, it can take forever for the team to become competitive again. Lord knows Hasso has deep pockets ( $7.2 Billion worth) to hire the best man for the rebuild job, if he wants.

Sharkz

I’m in Florida, where I was supposed to be at this time on my annual road trip with my son, this time seeing Sharks play Tampa Bay and Florida. After CBA screwed that up, decided to come out here anyway and spend a week in Belieze. You know, I’m starting to not feel so bad about the lockout after all. You all enjoy this display of mediocrity from our mediocre team while I’m sipping a cold one on the beach.

GP

BLR,

My answer is also frustration at the way they are playing. I wasn’t thinking you were in panic mode. Not like some of the keyboard GMs that sometimes sock-puppet this place.

What has been frustrating:

I see the guys finishing checks. Just not all the time.

I see some great passing. Just a lot less of the time.

I see some great plays being made. Just not as much of the time.

I’ve seen these guys ready to play. Just not all the time. The Bluejackets and to a lesser extent the Hawks game yesterday.

I also have been thinking it could be a bug going around the room. The edge is missing at the moment. That bug could be a reason why. Could be the reason to wait. Could be the reason nothing has happened regarding movement.

Snow Shovel

Hasso went out sailing
On his ship across the bay,
While the Sharks got pushed around
And others had their say.

Hoist the mainsail, sweeties,
Then bring her right around,
We’ll sail across the ocean
While the Sharks will go aground.

GP

BLR,

I don’t buy the training camp games myself for other teams. Plenty of players played elsewhere. Everyone has noticed the Sharks aren’t playing like the 1st 7 games. If they were playing as well and the other teams finally got their legs, I think the Sharks win more of the last 7 than the current result.

I am sure most of the other teams in the league have rough schedules. Still we know the West has the hardest travel with less practice because of the schedule. The CBA mandates 4 days a month off for the players. This may be cutting into practice time also.

Sharks first 7 games were in 12 days. Only 2 away games. This is still a lot of hockey in a short period. Then there 3 sets of 3 games in 4 days with travel. This week, there is a slight break. But, next week, another 3 in 4 days, to make the 4th set. Very little time to practice.

The team probably had today off. They will practice Sunday I imagine. Then a light practice Mon morning before traveling to St. Louis. Will there be practice on Wed? Don’t know.

I know we don’t have practice for the rec leagues, I play in. And, it shows. At the very least, I am convinced that the lack of practice is a huge reason for lack of execution.

GP

observation:

I watched the Bolts/Panthers 3rd period earlier today. This was a horrible hockey game. Exciting because of the scoring. But, the lack of hits and physical play was first thing I noticed.

GP

Lisa,

“DW has never done that before.”

When I mentioned DW might step up and hire a GM, this is what I was thinking. This is actually one reason Kevin Lowe stepped up in Edmonton and hired Tamballini as GM. The media reason this happened though is that Lowe was having issues getting players to come to Edmonton (a la Pronger leaving, etc) and the losing ways after the trip to SCF was too much.

I don’t think the Sharks want to rebuild by playing to get high #1 picks. I don’t want that either. Still, a new GM will have to be able build and win at the same time. If that time happens, I am hoping he’ll give Craig Button a call.

After all that, DW was around helping Lombardi with his build.

Beer League Rocks

GP, I imagine that all teams are getting less practice. In rec league, the guys that play on more teams tend to play better because they play more often.

GP

This is such a snarky comment. All these people complaining about this winless streak calling for head to roll and clammering for a rebuild, are going to be same ones complaining during the 20+ win seasons and when 3 seasons later the Sharks haven’t made the POs yet and all the #1 picks aren’t in the NHL yet.

GP

BLR,

Yes, the WC has the big issue because of the travel. The East has less of an issue because of time zone and less miles needing to travel. Winnipeg is probably the exception in the East.

Lisa

116 GP
I don’t know if you meant me re snarky comment about a rebuild. It was not meant to be snarky, just a point of fact. Sharks have not had a full rebuild since Lombardi did it. It’s getting to be that time again. I don’t know if it can be done while winning. DW has tried to do that but it’s hard to do both successfully because the winning part of the equation puts things out of balance. Draft picks and prospects get sacrificed.

Turin

Unreal. The Saturday morning before the Super Bowl, I was as high on my sports fandom as I could be. Since then, I haven’t seen a single win from a team I root for. The Sharks started a 7-game losing streak that night and the Niners lost their first Super Bowl the next day. At this rate, I might as well prepare myself for the A’s to start the season with a 20-game losing streak. This sucks.

Martin Brody

JT and Marleau are playing well.

Martin Brody

Winnik seems to be doing better this year than last. Burish is not bad, but he is not going to score many goals.

GP

Lisa,

No, my comment was the snarky one. I was foreshadowing what I was going to say.

My snarkyness is about this group that comments here and is rarely fair or at least doesn’t think things through. Basically, they are the ones that will complain regardless of the direction things go. And will conveniently forget that they yelled and wanted exactly what they will get.

GP

Lisa,

About the rebuild comments: DW was Dean’s right hand during that rebuild. So, DW does have that experience IMO. Just not the guy making the final decisions.

IMO, teams can and have rebuilt while winning. The Red Wings have done it and continue to be successful overall. You rebuild through trades too. I think that is a partially or secondary goal of DW. Winning ASAP has been the clear priority. Some of the trades that were failures for instance — Bill Guerin is the best example of trade to win now failure. Despite what you read here, the Sharks have stayed competitive for a while and still trying to bring in or develop younger talented players.

Pavs is not long in the tooth. Clowe is not old. Couture…does he have gray hair already? Burns in not old either. The older guys are Marleau Thornton, Boyle and Stuart. Otherwise, this team is not in the early twenties, but the late twenties aren’t exactly skating around in wheelchairs.

benny12

Irwin is not the reason we are losing, he was ok, but the level of play has got much better over the last week, everybody caught up to sharks play and we need to play better period, as for our D braun, Murray should be offered up for a trade, Braun has not even come close to his play last year, he is a soft defencemen , as for the forwards they need to wake asap, Demers, Vlasi,c Staurt, have been good , couture , Kennedy also..

Andy

LOL! GP you are one piece of work. I welcome any check of IPs and emails as long as they start with yours and Stevos first. In fact I say just ban the entire PR department from posting.

Really, oh my god, are you serious

“I also have been thinking it could be a bug going around the room. The edge is missing at the moment. That bug could be a reason why. Could be the reason to wait. Could be the reason nothing has happened regarding movement.”

Maybe the all time funniest excuse I have ever heard. I know the Sharks PR dept and DW are good at making excuses, but I have never heard this one before.LOL! Wow! The edge is missing? Is that the same edge missing every playoff season. I got it now we need to be taking more Vitamin C. Funny how Sharks fans love to come up with excuses and reasons other then to blame players and or coaches.

Waiting with baited breath for you typical “That is not what I said, or meant, or blah blah comment” and waiting for all your “Friends?” come in and blast Sharks fans who don’t see it with Koolaid and gumdrops.

spooky

do i look right? mclaren scores game winning goal for toronto :))

SharkFin

Murray as a 7th Dman or playing every other game could work well. When he’s got the energy he can be a difference maker physically.

But I digress. Sharks need a partial rebuild IMO (doesn’t make me a cheerleader, hockey know nothing or a troll; just a Sharks fan with an opinion). I think they’re better than 0-7 and worse than 7-0. I would build around Logan, Braun, Burns, Vlasic (he’s still younger; let’s hope he gets better and injury free) and selectively and carefully trade away the non-core chips to see how I can rebuild my top six forwards. Looking forward people who can put the biscuit in the basket will be a top need IMO for the Sharkies.

If waiting until the season nets more I’m not looking to break things up as a hair trigger reaction to an egregious few games (several they played outstanding D); they could make this season interesting. Bottom line though they have some older players and they are not going to win the cup now. So “partial rebuild” is not code for 20 win seasons (nice try). It’s what I think the Sharks should do to try and maintain their young core while changing the pieces to reconstitute the overall look and feel of this team.

They may have already waited too long if you buy into the 49er motto of better a year too early. Your plan for the Sharks? Hold tight, hold tight with the players but dismiss TMAC? Radical rebuild? I would move on from DW at season’s end.

SharkFin

Typing issues. Burns, not Vlassic is the player who I hope gets better and injury free. Also means to say “if waiting until the season ENDS nets more I’m not looking to break things as a hair trigger reaction”.

I’m probably being too polite. My gut screams that this present core needs to end after this season.

GP

Andy,

Since when does it matter what I say or you think I said. Your ilk has no issues about lying about what others opinions are anyway.

Not going to defend what I said about the flu. I am not the first to think it or say it. But, you, as you prove here, don’t pay attention, so I expect nothing less from “fans” (and I say that suspiciously) like you. It may not be a coincidence, as BLR mentioned, just one of others no just on this medium that play has gone down since Boyle had the flu. Of course, your ilk gives more blame to the 9rs losing the super bowl for Sharks and Warriors losses. And of course, you’ve never had a bad cold or flu, then try to play hockey, because your grandmother allows to run an electric heater in the basement. I would guess that you get winded going to the mailbox to see if your new video game finally came in the mail.

Lisa

123 GP
I don’t think a rebuild should be done by a current GM, because rebuild involves tough decisions about current personnel and players and a long standing GM like DW has a vested interest in a body of work that needs to be re-done from the bottom up. It will mean player trades, even GM favorite players; coaching staff and possibly even scouts will be terminated. Rebuilds mean big changes and I don’t think it’s possible for a long standing GM to look at the team, players, staff with fresh eyes without relationships clouding his judgement. Oilers is an organization that took too long to rebuild and it probably had a lot to do with top brass staying on for the rebuild. Old ideas. Old ways of doing things. Old connections. Red Wings is like the Sharks doing a rebuild while trying to win. Red Wings are on life support now because Ken Holland was too attached to the players he signed and the old way of doing things with regards to keeping young players with the Griffens until their hair turned white. Winning just enough to get into the playoffs but making a quick exit means the team gets so-so draft picks too. I think the Sharks are about 2 years behind the Red Wings in mediocrity. I prefer the approach that LA took – bottom out then collect and develop the pieces over 6 or 7 years. The Blues did a similar thing. CBJ has just hired Davidson to do the same thing for them because Howson was the wrong GM to do the rebuild and he wasted time. CBJ has 1 family owning them and that family is willing to lose $ by losing fans during the rebuild. I think Sabres should hire a Davidson kind of guy because their rebuild is taking forever because of the trying to do the rebuild painlessly. Plattner still has other owners having shares in SVE so even if he wanted to, it’s unlikely the Sharks will do a quick thorough rebuild. The team will be just okay and never win the SC without it though, in my opinion.

Lisa

128 SharkFin
I love your last 2 sentences!

Andy

Funny but most in my ILK, realize that everyone gets sick, and teams have players who get sick and have colds run through their locker room, guess it only ever effects the Sharks though. Just like injuries, hot goalies, bad breaks seem to only happen against the Sharks, because after all you know the Sharks are a top 5 team in the NHL because they go to the playoffs year after year and we should all be happy about that, because well a certain ilk says so.

Pete

Sharks changed play style radically coming out of the 3-3 first period in their first game against the hawks. Coach Todd ripped them up for playing a wide open game. So they stopped.
Thursday he had them doing wind sprints. There’s a problem with coaching pro’s like they were in squirts.

Well now I know who to blame for the Sharks’ history of underachieving and choking in the playoffs.

It’s the Centers for Disease Control’s fault!!

Who knew that the flu, and the CDC’s sneaky plan to only make sure only the Sharks get the flu and no other teams, has been responsible for all of the postseason losing, and current downfall of the San Jose franchise.

I had a feeling we had the flu when we lost to Anaheim in the first round, and got bounced by Chicago and Vancouver. If only we had gotten our flu shots or something, or worn those SARS masks that the Asian folks wear on airplanes, maybe we would have beaten St. Louis last year.

So it’s the flu and our tough schedule/travel that’s to blame. Got it!

smh

That Bearded Puck

Wow, having a spot of trouble with reading comprehension?

Bill

If Scott McNealy is on the board advising the owner, then this team is really screwed. Just look at what he did to Sun Micro. Became indifferent and drove it into the ground. McNealy is a just a rich hockey dad who built a rink on his property for his kids. He knows nothing about hockey and less about running a business.

Your reading comprehension is pretty bad too along with Clanger. Lisa did not say McNealy will advise on hockey. Unbelievable.

I’m no friend of McNealy for sure, but he ran Sun decently until his business model couldn’t work any longer.

I’ve played hockey against McNealy a couple times at Sharks Ice. I can tell you, the guy is intense and wants to win badly even in a rec league.

It does not matter what knows/doesn’t know about NHL hockey because he would never be placed in that position.

hockeynut

Sharks vs. STL, CHI, DAL
Warriors vs. Jazz, Suns, Spurs.

Who wins first?

GP

…nut,

Still asking for “predictions?”

I am not surprised.

GP

hockeynut,

You should just go by the lines the “house” is giving.

Shack

Nobody gives a rip about the Warriors, so keep them out of here.

Section 219

TMac should be worried about his job, but unfortunately, as a coach, he has to work with the players he has. Personally, I think the ownership should consider getting rid of GM Doug Wilson. Wilson’s made the team weaker and weaker over the past five years.

And what business model would that be? lol and I hope McNealy elbowed you in the face a couple of times. lol

GP

Brody,

When I said model, it has nothing to do with plastic airplane models or SI Swimsuit models, so I know you wouldn’t understand.

Of course you would hope something like that. I expect nothing less from rat underbelly vermin. He actually did commit a penalty. I skated right around him. I didn’t score on the play because one of his team mates bailed him out. But he got another penalty for yelling at the ref. It was funny, he wasn’t yelling at the ref. He was yelling at the first guy I skated around. The ref got it wrong but McNealy was close to the ref while saying something in 4 letters.

Now Brody, those Canuck Blogs are waiting for your approvals and praises. Go away and play with them little kid.

GP

Oh Brody, forgot to conveniently add… LOL to make it seem like I might be kidding around, messing with your head, etc.